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Are you interested in a new phone, but confused about the differences between locked vs unlocked options?

Perhaps you’re trying to sell your old phone, but wonder how consequential its locked status may be. Or, did you already purchase a locked phone but want or need it to be unlocked? We will discuss the impact this particular characteristic can have on the purchase, sale, carrier flexibility, and use of your phone.

Before we move forward, let’s be clear about the type of unlocked vs locked conversation we are going to have. Mostly, we will be defining and debating the merits of having an unlocked SIM card. Here’s how to unlock HTC Evo 4G. If instead, it is an unlocked bootloader you desire, we do have a section on that below as well. But generally we will use the terms “locked” and “unlocked” as they pertain to the SIM card except in that particular section.

Carriers compete with each other in various ways, but one way is to make it harder for you, the customer, to switch. Locked phones utilize this tactic. A truly unlocked phone allows users to switch SIM cards to change services. You can still retain all of your data and contacts.

The most common and easily unlocked phones use a system called GSM, which stands for Global System for Mobile communication. Unlocked phones are not anchored to any carrier. Any GSM phone can be unlocked, but carriers introduce software to restrict specific features, like GPS or cloud storage.

Some contracts must be paid in full before the phone becomes eligible for unlocking. Even then your phone may not be compatible with all networks. Your best bet is to buy your phone unlocked. But how much does it matter?

What is the difference between locked and unlocked Android phones?

Benefits of Having Each Type of Phone:

When it comes to having a locked phone, it can be significantly cheaper and this option can bring an expensive phone more easily within your budget. You may never realize any locked and unlocked cell phone difference.

An unlocked phone can be used on any compatible cellular network. Here’s how to unlock the HTC One X. It can actually be cheaper in the long run because you won’t be locked into any sort of contract. You won’t be faced with roaming charges either, even if you leave the country. Unlocked phones quite often are available in a wider range of models. It may also be easier to transition to a different phone by simply transferring the SIM card.

Downsides of Owning Each Kind:

If your phone is locked, it will be usable only with that particular cellular network. You will still pay full price; it will just be spread out into an even more expensive multi-year contract. Another difference in locked and unlocked phone is that you could encounter a more limited selection of models.

Unlocked phones are pricier up front.

The Bottom Line:

Physically, both phones are the same. The key difference is a software setting that prevents use on another cellular network in locked phones. To unlock is to remove or turn off this setting.

If you can afford the upfront cost of an unlocked phone, the answer seems clear. What are locked and unlocked phones when it comes to rooting or custom installation of ROMs?

Bootloader Vs SIM Unlocking

As the name suggests, the bootloader is software that runs as soon as the phone is booted. This bit of code executes even before the operating system starts to run. It can instruct your operating system to load normally if it meets approval. Or, if you have a locked bootloader and say, flash a custom ROM, it can tell your device to never boot again. This is what is termed a “bricked” device.

So what does locked and unlocked phone mean? It depends on what is being locked. With a locked SIM card, carriers want control over whose network can be used on your phone. A locked bootloader is the manufacturer weighing in about whose operating system you should use.

Therefore, if you can see yourself or even your phone’s future buyer wanting the freedom to switch networks, an unlocked SIM card is a concern. If you are interested in installing a custom ROM or in some cases, rooting your phone (For more on rooting), an unlocked bootloader could take on a higher level of importance. There could be some overlap if you want to get around having a locked SIM by performing a root on your phone.

Not all phones have locked bootloaders. Many manufacturers have either stopped the practice on certain models or all together. If you buy any developer’s edition Android, I would expect that bootloader to be unlocked.

If you are still reading this, you probably now have more awareness than most people who phones do have a locked bootloader. It’s not a factor likely to arise if you mainly use your phone for Facebook and to text. It’s mostly people like developers, hackers, and those who like to customize and tinker with their Androids who might feel the impact of a locked bootloader.

Frequently, manufacturers will include a way for the bootloader to be unlocked without a huge battle if you are even moderately tech-savvy. The method used to unlock your bootloader does vary by device. Here’s how to do it on a Samsung Galaxy S3. Be warned, it will most likely void your warranty as well as wipe all of your data. That is why you should perform a backup first.

This process generally involves opening a command prompt on your desktop, connecting your Android, and entering the bootloader via Fastboot Mode. Fastboot is partly used to write data directly to your Android’s flash memory. Fastboot is part of the Android SDK, but it is possible to download only the specific tools you need. Installation varies by your desktop’s operating system.

On most models, Fastboot is accessed by turning the phone off and then pressing the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously. At that point, you will need to follow instructions specific to your device.

Manufacturers cite security as the reason these bootloaders need to be locked. Their software has been (hopefully) tested and approved by themselves and the carrier. They know how to fix it, usually. Any software you might want to install is more of a wild card.

As most things do, at least in the business world, it also comes down to money. Some of the things you can do with modified software can cut into the manufacturer and carrier’s profits. Imagine if large numbers of people started to participate in unauthorized wireless tethering, or removed what were supposed to be permanent apps or search engines and in doing so, decreased promised traffic. The carrier landscape can be fiercely competitive, and they will do what they can to hold onto profit, even if it seems misguided to consumers.

Manufacturers and carriers have no reason to change either, as long as most consumers are blissfully unaware. If there’s no push back, they will continue to do what is best for them. Luckily, there has been some opposition, as we will see in the next section.

The Freedom that Unlocking Provides

As long as you know better than to install shady modified software on your device, it does seem that having both your SIM card and your bootloader unlocked is the way to go. Maybe you just don’t have the extra money right now though. Luckily for you, on February 11 of this year the top five carriers in the U.S. agreed to implement new unlocking procedures.

This includes AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon. This is great news! But there will still be requirements:

1) Usually, the phone must be paid off or the contract fulfilled.

2) AT&T will only allow five phone unlocks per account each year.
This actually seems like a lot to me, but probably doesn’t if you have a large family.

3) One year is the maximum wait time for prepaid phones to become unlocked after activation.
This seems like a no-brainer.

4) The account commonly has to be with the same carrier still. For non-customers and former customers, it can be done “at a reasonable cost.”

5) Payment status does not apply to military personnel who can present deployment orders.

6) Phones that have been lost or stolen are ineligible.

For more details, look into CTIA Unlocking Standards.

How did this work for you?

Conclusion:

It really is much less restrictive to start out with your SIM card and bootloader unshackled if you can afford it. If the cost is prohibitive you have to decide how much these factors are worth to you, or how much effort you are willing to put into circumventing the locks. If you’ve rooted, unlocked a bootloader, or installed a custom ROM before, your chances of success are probably greater. If you are risk averse, it might not be for you.

How has having a locked SIM card or bootloader affected you? How have you dealt with it? Please share your stories and insights below.

How has having a locked SIM card or bootloader affected you? How have you dealt with it? Please share your stories and insights below.